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Hurricane kills four in Nicaragua | Hurricane kills four in Nicaragua |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Hurricane Felix has killed four people in Nicaragua and destroyed thousands of houses in Central America before weakening into a tropical storm. | Hurricane Felix has killed four people in Nicaragua and destroyed thousands of houses in Central America before weakening into a tropical storm. |
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said wind speeds had decreased to 85km/h (53mph) from 260km/h. | The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said wind speeds had decreased to 85km/h (53mph) from 260km/h. |
But the NHC warned that heavy rains were likely to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. | But the NHC warned that heavy rains were likely to produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. |
Hurricane Felix's devastation comes just two weeks after Hurricane Dean killed more than 20 in the region. | Hurricane Felix's devastation comes just two weeks after Hurricane Dean killed more than 20 in the region. |
Meanwhile another hurricane, Henriette, has hit Mexico's Baja peninsula, by the Pacific Ocean, with winds approaching 130km/h (80mph). | Meanwhile another hurricane, Henriette, has hit Mexico's Baja peninsula, by the Pacific Ocean, with winds approaching 130km/h (80mph). |
It struck Los Cabos, a popular tourist destination, generating 4.5m (15ft) waves and forcing the closure of airports. | It struck Los Cabos, a popular tourist destination, generating 4.5m (15ft) waves and forcing the closure of airports. |
See a map showing the two hurricanes' paths | See a map showing the two hurricanes' paths |
Hurricane Felix hit land in north-east Nicaragua as a category-five hurricane - the maximum strength. | Hurricane Felix hit land in north-east Nicaragua as a category-five hurricane - the maximum strength. |
On Tuesday it caused widespread damage in the town of Puerto Cabezas, where winds tore the roofs off homes and shelters and damaged a church. | |
"My house felt like it was moving with the wind," resident Julio Mena told Reuters new agency. | "My house felt like it was moving with the wind," resident Julio Mena told Reuters new agency. |
Hurricane Felix is the second Category 5 storm in two weeks | Hurricane Felix is the second Category 5 storm in two weeks |
Four people, including a newborn girl were killed in and around the town. | Four people, including a newborn girl were killed in and around the town. |
Many of the region's 200,000 people live in poverty, and many people are believed to have lost their houses in the hurricane. | Many of the region's 200,000 people live in poverty, and many people are believed to have lost their houses in the hurricane. |
Felix weakened as it travelled west later on Tuesday. | Felix weakened as it travelled west later on Tuesday. |
However the storm is expected to bring heavy rains to southern Honduras and Guatemala, where hillside villages are vulnerable to mudslides. | However the storm is expected to bring heavy rains to southern Honduras and Guatemala, where hillside villages are vulnerable to mudslides. |
Hurricane Felix comes only two weeks after the region was hit by Hurricane Dean. | Hurricane Felix comes only two weeks after the region was hit by Hurricane Dean. |
It is the first time on record that two Atlantic hurricanes made landfall as category-five storms in a single season. | It is the first time on record that two Atlantic hurricanes made landfall as category-five storms in a single season. |
But although the two hurricanes killed more than 20 people and destroyed thousands of homes, their impact has been far less devastating than that of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. | But although the two hurricanes killed more than 20 people and destroyed thousands of homes, their impact has been far less devastating than that of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. |
That year, at least 10,000 people where killed across the region in floods and mudslides, in a storm that remains one of the deadliest on record. | That year, at least 10,000 people where killed across the region in floods and mudslides, in a storm that remains one of the deadliest on record. |
Go back | Go back |
Have you been affected by Hurricanes Felix or Henriette? Are you in any of the countries in their paths? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: | Have you been affected by Hurricanes Felix or Henriette? Are you in any of the countries in their paths? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: |
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 |
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |